AN Orange councillor has proposed to ban smoking in Summer Street in an effort to curb health impacts and antisocial behaviour.

Smokers are forbidden from smoking within five metres of shopping centre entrances and 10 metres of public transport stops and stations, sporting fields, swimming pool complexes and children’s playgrounds.

But councillor Reg Kidd wanted to see the practice banned from the entire main street between Peisley and Hill streets.

“These ferals are imposing themselves on other people. It’s not healthy for children and others who don’t want to be around someone having a smoke,” he said.

Cr Kidd said people would still be able to light up in venues with designated smoking areas if a ban came into force.

He also hoped enforced measures would have positive effects on long-term antisocial behaviour in Post Office Lane.

“We’ve had a number of people use Post Office Lane as a congregation point to smoke, swear and spit, and leave all their rubbish on the pavement,” he said.

“There are large numbers of young people running around together in little gangs and making it terribly uncomfortable and intimidating for other people.”

Max Riaz and his wife Nayla Zia took over Gloria Jeans inside the post office building four weeks ago and have already been forced to remove their outdoor furniture due to vandalism and antisocial behaviour.

“Once people came inside and started smoking in the corner and we had to ask them to leave. I think smoking can be an attribute of a bigger problem of gangs - kids who don’t have other activities to occupy themselves with,” Mr Riaz said.

Cr Kidd will raise the issue with the council and said creating a working party could be another option to deal with the issues.

“We need the support of the police and our rangers to do something about this,” he said.

Smoking was last raised a year ago after councillors observed smokers had failed to comply with existing bans.

Council rangers have the power to issue $110 fines for people smoking in prohibited areas.